Web API & Javascript Complex Objects

When sending complex javascript objects to the Web API, I noticed on a video that a typed object is used as a parameter, but it is not clear on the steps needed to take place to unpack the data and map fields correctly.

Should a C# class be create that matches the javascript fields exactly? Since javascript objects of a specific type are not always created equal will this throw an error on the server side?

Example:

Two javascript objects of the same type.

function Person(){

this.name='';

this.habbits='';

}

var person = new Person();

person.name='mark'

person.habbits='girls'

//

var personTwo=new Person();

personTwo.name='jane';

personTwo.habbits='men';

personTwo.car='red';

Notice a .car property was added dynamically

What is the best way to approach this type of situation? Just create a C# class with all the possiable properties that could be passed to the WEB API?

Thanks!

Re: Web API & Javascript Complex Objects

There is a JObject part of Json.NET that is used by ASP.NET Web API (you need to get a recent nightly build to be able to use it).

JObject is a dynamic object so that you can access any ad hoc property from it.

See Henrik's blog for more info:

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/henrikn/archive/2012/05/03/asp-net-web-api-updates-may-3.aspx

Re: Web API & Javascript Complex Objects

erikkl2000
What is the best way to approach this type of situation? Just create a C# class with all the possiable properties that could be passed to the WEB API?

It will be better, but if you cannot handle dynamic properties then you use dictionary.